Etching apparatus.



J H BEARE momma APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED MAY II, 1918,

Patented Jan. 14,1919.

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JOHN HENRY BEABE, OF SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.

n'rcnrne APPARATUSQ Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Jan. 14;, 1919.

Application filed May 11, 1918. Serial no. 233,969.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN H. BEARE, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Antonio, in the county of Bexar and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Etching Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to an etching apparatus and the object is to provide a device especially adapted for use in producing cop per and zinc half-tones.

A further object is to provide an appara tus in which the acid bath may be given a wave like motion for the purpose of produc ing an especially effective etching operation whereby all the tones in the high lights may be retained and in many instances the halftones can be finished without staging or reetching.

A still further object is to provide in an apparatus designed for the purpose indicated a plurality of tanks, or a tank provided with two compartments having communication with each other below a partition member, means for supporting a plate face downwardly within one of the tanks, and means for imparting a wave like motion to the acid bath occupying the lower portion of each of the tanks.

A still further object is to provide in connection with a plurality of compartments separated by a partition and communicating with each other, with means for supporting the plate above the lower portion of one of the tanks, a plunger located in the other of said compartments and adapted to impart a wave like motion to the acid bath to be contained within the tank.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section.

Fig. 3 is a vertical section, taken at another angle and showing a modified construction.

The larger tank is designated 10 and formed as a part of said tank, or a separate compartment thereof, is a chamber 12. A division wall Mseparates the two compart ments and extends from a point near the bottom of member 16 to the upper edge of the structure. A space 17 is thereby pro vided which permits of the movement of the acid loath from one compartment to the other.

The compartment 12 may be closed by a cover 18 which provides means for mount ing a handle or lever 19, the handle proper being designated 20. The lever is fulcrumed at21 and connected therewith is a pivotally mounted rod or the like shown at 22 passing through a Ll-shaped guiding bracket 23 and being connected with a plungen 24 This plunger consists of a block of suitable material substantially rectangular in cross section and extending from one end of the smaller chamber 12 to the opposite end thereof.

Within the compartment 10 a plurality of grooved cleats or strips 25 are provided for supporting a plate to be etched, this plate being turned face downwardly and the lower surface thereof being about one and one-half inches from the bottom. The strips 25 may be placed in such position as may be required by the use of a given plate, the ends of the strips being supported by a guid ing member shown at 26.

The acid employed in the etching operation is of sufficient quantity so that the surface thereof under normal conditions would be within about one-fourth of an inch of the surface of the plate. The downward 1novement of the plunger causes that portion of the acid in the compartment 12 to move gradually into the main compartment and to rise and roll along the under surface of the plate with a wave like motion, to the opposite side of the tank. When the plunger is raised the acid rolls away from the surface of the plate producing suction and leaving the metal bright and clean, and allowing it to come into contact with the air. The action of the oxygen on the exposed surface permits of the very rapid etching of the plate and the dots or lines are deeply out.

In the practical operation of the device it is found that highly satisfactory results are secured, that very little solution is required and that the acid may be used for a long time without changing. The apparatus may be operated by hand or by a suitable motor, and there are no parts which will readily get out of order.

The apparatus is especially useful for etching copper and zinc half-tones as above indicated but may also be employed for etching brass or steel plates, or for line etchings on copper or zinc.

In Fig. 3, I have shown below partition wall 14 an upwardly deflected portion in bottom 16 for increasing the Wave motion.

What is claimed is:

1. In a device of the receptacle including a plurality of compartments one of which constitutes an etching chamber in which the etching fluid has unobstructed movement and a partition Wall separating said compartments, said Wall providing an opening beneath the lower edge thereof, and the bottom of the receptacle, and reciprocable means in one of the compartments for imparting a wave like motion to an acid bath Within the compartments.

2. In a device of the class described, a receptacle comprising a plurality of compartments one of whichconstitutes an etch ing chamber in Which the etching fluidyhas unobstructed movement and a partition Wall separating the compartments, anopening being provided Within the lower portion of the receptacle and communicating with each compartment, means for supporting a plate to be etched in one of the compartments, a

class described, a

plunger having substantially the same cross section as the lower portion of the other of said compartments, and means for operating the plunger.

In a device of the class described, a receptacle comprising a plurality of compartments and'including a partition wall separating the compartments, said compartments communicating with each other along a line adjacent to the lower portion of the Copies of this patent may begobtained for five cents each, by addressing receptacle, means for mounting a plate to be etched in one of the compartments, said means being adjustable, and means within the other compartment for producing a wave like motion in an acid bath within the receptacle and causing the fluid to flow along the surface of the plate with a wave like movement.

4:. In a device of the class described, a, receptacle comprising a plurality of compartments one of which constitutes an etching chamber in which the etching fluid has unobstructed movement and including a partition wall separating the compartments, adjustable devices for supporting the plate within one of the compartments, said C()lllpartments communicating with each other along a line adjacent to the surface of the lower portion of the receptacle, and below the surface of a plate supported on said devices, by means of an inlet opening having inclined walls, a. plunger within one of the compartments, and means for operating the plunger.

5. In a device of the class described, a receptacle for containing an acid bath pro vided with an inlet opening having inclined walls and means producing therein a wave like movement of the liquid comprising the bath and causing the surface of the liquid to be alternately placed in contact with the surface of the plate, and to recede therefrom.

In testimony whereof I aliiX my signature.

JOHN HENRY BEARE.

the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

